Please Don’t Text and Drive This Christmas

Driving distracted is a huge issue in modern society where cars are full of gadgets. It’s all too easy to forget the perils of taking your eyes off the road. The government has announced new rules which are expected to come in next year around texting and driving. These changes will see both on-the-spot fines and penalty points for the offence doubling from £100 to £200 and and 3 to 6 points.

Recently The AA has conducted some research into the issue with quite surprising results. Many drivers – particularly young drivers seem to believe it’s ok to text and drive. Apparently 28% off all drivers and 41% of young drivers think it’s ok to to text or message when you’re stuck in traffic. It is however, an offence to use a hand held mobile phone unless your car engine is switched off.

So, the real issue is how dangerous can texting and driving at the same time be? According to the article from the AA, “Mobile phone offenders are ‘4 times more likely to crash’ “. A shocking statistic. .

It’s an issue that won’t go away. A survey conducted by The RAC on the use of mobile phones behind the wheel, revealed the number of people using their phone while driving has risen from 14% in 2014 to 31% in 2016. With people even confessing to taking photos or videos whilst driving!

To help highlight the dangers and help drivers to understand just how dangerous texting and driving can be, The AA Charitable Trust Fund funded a video created by a young graduate film-maker. This shocking video called ‘Cadence’ demonstrates how in just one single moment your life can be changed or even ended forever – all because you couldn’t wait to send that text…

Another powerful video worth watching is this one from Summer Break which went viral on Facebook over the summer. It shows young drivers meeting a victim who lost her family and was seriously injured due to a driver using his phone while driving.

Both videos are very compelling and emotional. Hopefully if you do currently use your phone and drive at the same time, these videos will help to change your mind.

The message this Christmas is a simple one – please don’t text and drive.